Match receptacle



Feb. 26, 1924. msmz A. s. WELLS MATCH RECEPTACLE giled Feb. 20. 1922 I@ai a han; o

ALBERT S. WELLS, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

MATCH RECEPTAGLE.

Application filed February 20, 1922. Serial No. 537,747.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT S. WELLS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match Receptacles; and. I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The invention relates to devices for feeding matches from a box.

The inventibn comprises a box containing matches, a traveler moving transversely of the box, a slide manually operable to ad- Vance the matches into a recess from which they are expelled by a tongue moving with the slide and a spring for returning the slide to a position wherein the tongue is retracted and the recess is adapted to receive another match for discharge on the succeeding movement of the slide.

A primar object of the invention is the provision 0 devices operable to advance a single match, the forces of gravity and of a transversely directed traveler operating to direct a match into the recess and a tongue projects the end of the match through an opening where it is adapted to be received by the hand. Thus, there is no danger of jamming and the action of the spring in restoring the parts to normal position after the advancing ofa match is quick so that a very small period of time is occupied in the operations;

An object of the invention is the provision of mechanisms adapted to hold a match in the recess after the end has been projected through the opening. This eliminates tendency for the match to fall out of the box. The parts retaining the match in, position have a mere frictional engagement therewith and inconsiderable resistance to the movement of the hand in retracting same results.

An oject of the invention is the adaptation of the structure in suchwise that the operation of one hand is capable of performing the desired functions, the returning of the parts to normal position resulting from spring action.

An important feature is a latch actuable by the finger to move laterally and lock the slide in contact with the box so that the device may be stored in the ocket conveniently, a minimum of room eingoccupied. .An addition l fe tu e s the arr ngement number, compact, taking up a minimum of room in a match box, and thus being adapted especially for use with safety matches withran,

out limiting the number of matches carried.

The device is, however, useful for matches of all kinds and sizes.

\Vith the above and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the ractical application of the principles t ereof, and 11L which:

Figure 1 is a plan of the device as applied to a segment of a steering wheel.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device,

the segment being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the box and parts associated therewith.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the box.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 55 of Figure 3. y

Figures 6 and 7 are sections of the box with a catch applied thereto.

Box 10 may be used alone or in combination with a cover 10' having open ends, as is the case in the ordinary safety match box. Box 10 comprises end walls 11, 11', side walls 12, 12', and bottom 13 having an opening 14 therein and a downwardly direoted portion 15 forming a recess 16. From side wall 12' a flange 17 is directed inwardly at the bottom and is on the same plane with flange 18 directed inwardly from downwar ly directed portion 15. Flanges 17 an 18 provide fguides for slide 19 which is integral with ange 20. Slide 19 is provided with a slot 21 and a traveler 22 having its major portion resting on bottom 13 is de formed so as to extend through opening 14 and extension 23 thereon being received between bottom 13 and slide 19. A flange 24 is directed through slot 21 so that reciprocation of slide 19 causes movement back and forth of traveler 22, thus when flange 20' 'is proportioned to receive a single match.

On the feeding of a match into recess 16, the movement' inwardly of tongue 25 causes its end to contact with the end of the match 26 projecting it through an opening 27 in end wall 11, as shown in Figure 3. Traveler 22 maintains a slight frictional engagement with the match so that it does not fall out. This engagement is along the length of the match as far as end wall 11, -as traveler 22 is provided with ears 28, making the greatest dimension of the traveler substantially that of box 10.

After the parts have assumed the position shown in Figure 3, match 26 may be withdrawn by the hand. Slide 19 terminates short of end wall 11 against which spring 29 is adapted to contact, the space making ample room for this element, an arm 30 of which is suitably secured to slide 19 and an arm 31 of which is adapted to slide along end wall 11. The tension in spring 29 resulting from the inward movement of slide 19 operates on the release of manual pressure on the parts to restore them to the position shown in Figure 1. Traveler 22 is then moved towards the right.

Integral with flan e 20 are a air of arms 31' 32 through which a thum screw 33' is directed for tensioning arms 32 on ball 33, which is integral with jaw 34 through which a screw 35 is threaded for moving jaw 36 relatively thereto so that the device may be secured to segment 37. Screw 33' may be so adjusted that the box 10 may be altered in position by the application of a slight degree of force and obviously the relation between arms 32 and ball 33 is such that the box may occupy any desired position. Consequently, the operator may procure a match by the merest movement of his hand and the steering wheel is not in any manner neglected in driving.

It will be noted that the structure is such as not to interfere with the movementfof parts associated with the wheel.

The modificaion shown in Figures 6 and 7 have a thumb latch 38 integral with a plate 39 contacting with flange 20 and capable of actuation by the fin er to move catch 40 so as to engage with en wall 11 through opening 41. The latch may be used on the modification shown in Figure 1, but is preferably adapted for a box carried in the pocket in which form slot 42 is directed in an opposite direction to the form shown in Figure 3 and the movement inwardly of slide 19 causes a movement towards the right of traveler 22 and the projection of a match by tongue 25.

I claim 1. The combination of a box for containing matches, a traveler transversely reciprocable therein, a slide, means cooperating with said slide and said traveler for reciproeating said traveler on the reciprocation of said slide, and means for feedin said matches from said box, said box having an opening through which said matches are directed.

2. The combination of a box for containing matches, a slide, means cooperating with said slide for feeding 'matches from said box, said box having an opening through which said matches are directed, and means rigid with said slide for securing said slide to a rest, but permitting the universal adjustment in position thereof.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and gtate of Wisconsin.

ALBERT s. WELLS; 

